Life Around Church of the Epiphany

The Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  And so, on this day, especially on this day, we tell the wondrous story:  Mary Magdalene saw the stone move away, Peter went in and saw the wrappings on the ground, and the beloved disciple saw and believed.  The faith of contemporary believers builds on their testimony.  It is our festival of life, for the boldness of God’s love snatched victory from the jaws of death.  Our memories and rituals unite us with that event which was so disconcerting, marvelous, and liberating.

Sunday after Sunday, and especially at this greatest Sunday of the year, we bless and share a meal that shapes us as the Body of Christ.  We sing alleluias and proclaim that the good news still takes flesh in our world.  We color eggs and enjoy a feast without need of a rational explanation.  For we know that our winter has passed and new life is born again in our hearts.  In these and in so many other customs, we celebrate the renewal of our lives just as we renew our baptismal covenant.  Finally, we rest in awe before the One who transforms our every crucifixion into resurrection and makes possible the handing over of our lives in love for yet another day, another year, the rest of our lives (Adapted from the St. Andrew Bible Missal, p. 379).  The Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Fr. Matt